Profile

He decided to come to PSU to get his Masters in
Social Work so that he could do more than help one person at a time. He wanted
to be part of the decision-making process.

Growing up in the Midwest, Taylor was always interested in medicine. He served
as a medic for the Army during the Vietnam conflict. He received his nursing
license from Chemeketa Community College in Salem and worked as a nurse for
many years in Oregon. After moving to Hawaii, he was the victim of a random and
senseless assault that left him blinded in one eye. He was unable to continue
as a nurse but still had an incredible passion for helping people.

"I began looking for other ways to use the skills I still had."
Taylor was hired as a case manager at LIFE Foundation, an AIDS service
organization in Hawaii where he worked for almost 9 years. He returned to
Oregon in 2002 where he worked at a drug and alcohol treatment facility. One of
the clinicians Taylor worked with was working on his BS at Portland State
University in the satellite program in Salem. Taylor thought at that moment
"if he can do it, so can I." He enrolled as a part-time student and
fell in love with sociology. Thanks to an inspiring professor, Michael Dawson,
PhD, Taylor gained a whole new perspective and instead of admiring those who
had a college degree, he too realized he could be a graduate.

After earning his undergraduate degree, Taylor decided to apply for the MSW
program because he wanted to be part of the decision making process. In his
work, he realized the case loads he managed were similar to those of people
holding MSW and MPH (Masters in Public Health) degrees, but those without
degrees were not consulted on the decisions that made changes in how services
were delivered and how the organization was run.

"As a case manager without a degree, I had used my intuition and
experience helping people, but I didn't know theory. I did a lot of trial and
error. I vaguely knew about evidence based practice, but didn't have the
education to utilize it. I was told this was 'how you do this,' and I followed
directions. After coming back to the mainland, I saw Drug and Alcohol treatment
processes performed in a cookie cutter manner. I wanted to work at a higher
level."

Taylor's first year placement as at the Oregon State Hospital and his second
year he was placed at the Salem Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit. "I
really enjoyed the opportunity to interact in depth with people experiencing
life changing trauma. It was rewarding, as I was able to use the skills and
knowledge that I learned at PSU to engage patients and families as a
professional." Taylor particularly enjoyed studying with Susan Hedlund and
Pam Miller.

Taylor is presently employed at Signature Hospice as an MSW medical social
worker.